Implode/Explode and extracting parts from orchestral score
I am creating an orchestral score and I want all the parts to be extractable individually, but I need to combine some staves for the actual conductor score.
I started by making a separate staff for each instrument and each part with the intention of imploding some of them and hiding the view on the excess lines for the conductor score.
For example, I have two flutes that will need separate parts but I want them combined on one line for the conductor score. When I select and implode the two Flute parts, they combine beautifully onto the Flute 1 line and I can hide Flute 2 for the printed score. However, when I explode the Flute 1 line again to be able to create parts, it puts it back onto the Flute 2 line and now my Flute 2 line has two unison voices showing (flags up and down).
The only workaround I can think to do now is to create the full score with a line for each part, extract all the individual parts, then implode all appropriate lines and never be able to create the individual parts again with explode function (or else have messy parts or individually edit them).
This is my first full orchestral score (only done chamber scores so far) and I've also never used Sibelius or Finale. Am I approaching this from the wrong direction? How does one create an orchestral score with fully extractable individual parts but also be able to compress them for the conductor score?
Comments
After you have used 'Implode', the notes of both flutes are in the 1st flute staff as voice 1 and 2. Then you either have to delete the notes of the 2nd flute before 'Explode' or you use the selection filter afterwards and then select the unison notes of the 2nd voice of flute 2 and delete them. Yes, that is a bit awkward.
A probably better option would be to take three flute parts, the top one as flute 1&2 for the conductor's score, the other two for the individual flute parts. Then you do 'Implode' and have all three variants and for the conductor you then hide the two individual flute staves.
If you make a change, you will do this in the individual flute staves, but you will then have to delete the notes from the top line for the conductor's score before using 'Implode' again.
In reply to After you have used 'Implode… by HildeK
Thank you, HildeK! Your second paragraph is the best idea. It also takes care of the problem of labeling. I don't know why I didn't think of that. What is normally done in this situation to create a full orchestral score? I'm sure my problem is far from unique.
In reply to Thank you, HildeK! Your… by quinster
Unfortunately, I can't answer the question about "normally". I have no experience of what professionals do. It will certainly also depend on the notation program used.
In reply to Thank you, HildeK! Your… by quinster
However, I could imagine that once the composer simply writes his notes in a way that makes sense to him. Either in separate staves or in two voices or even mixed. Presumably also in the concert key, because the chords are easier to recognize that way. That depends on his preferences.
Once the composition is complete, other people will edit it for publication by a publisher and create different variants from the one piece - the more or less condensed score for the conductor and of course the individual excerpts for the musicians and also the adaptation of an instrumental part to the musician's habits: one person plays the trombone in bass clef, the other needs the transposed variant in treble clef.
I simply assume that these are two clearly separate work steps.
In reply to However, I could imagine… by HildeK
Thank you for all your help. It is working quite well now, since I have a better handle on how to do it. I made an extra staff for the conductor's score that will combine any parts desired and the others will remain hidden. When setting up my scores (for chamber pieces), I have always tried to make it as easily extractable as possible without a lot of editing afterwards. So far, it seems to be working with the method you recommended. I thank you again.
In reply to After you have used 'Implode… by HildeK
Hi, thank you for the question and for the answer. I have the exact same issue (and it's also my first orchestral piece) and I have three follow-up questions.
1) Is the second option (i.e., to create a separate part and then implode the two parts to this for each instruments that I need it) still the way to go or is there now a better/easier way to do that? For instance selecting two parts and choosing to implode them into a new part?
2) How do you easily choose the two parts (e.g., flute 1 and 2)? I know of two ways - select first to last bar of the two parts or hide every other part and select all. But my score is pretty long, so the first option is not feasible, and with many part, so the second option is cumbersome and lengthy.
3) How can I automatically add "a due" to parts that the voices play together when I implode?
Also, one note that it is hard to keep track if one makes changes/fixes errors/adds more info to the parts as they need to be added to all corresponding places (they don't "know" about each other).
In reply to Hi, thank you for the… by WeizmannOrchestra
1) No, but your suggestion is the way that was described. Either make a third, empty staff (above) and fill it with 'Implode'. Then both voices are still existing. And when you creating parts you have an additional part in your score - with flute 1 and flute 2 in a single staff.
Or just do it with the existing first staff and get a second voice on the first staff.
2) Select the first measures of two or more staves and press Ctrl+Shift+End. The staves must follow each other.
3) If you add staff text, it will also appear in the imploded staves.
How you solve this if you still have changes - no idea. In any case, I would only create the conductor's voice at the very end, when all the instruments have been written. If there are afterwords any changes, you will have to recreate the conductor's part.
Or, if you write the conductor's part, you create the flute 1 and flute 2 with 'Explode'.
In both cases you can hide instruments for the conductor's part.